Coming to you every Sunday: a roundup of a few interesting reads from the week... I am a little bit of a Google Reader Freak and often come across interesting reads that I want to respond to or at least discuss. Here are a few of the articles I have read this week that might be of interest...and might spawn a blog post or two in the near future:
What Happens When You Live Abroad
When you live abroad, you realize that, no matter where you are, you will always be an ex-pat. There will always be a part of you that is far away from its home and is lying dormant until it can breathe and live in full color back in the country where it belongs. To live in a new place is a beautiful, thrilling thing, and it can show you that you can be whoever you want — on your own terms. It can give you the gift of freedom, of new beginnings, of curiosity and excitement. But to start over, to get on that plane, doesn’t come without a price. You cannot be in two places at once, and from now on, you will always lay awake on certain nights and think of all the things you’re missing out on back home.
Straight White Male: The Lowest Difficulty Setting There Is
This article spawned insane reactions throughout the "blogosphere" (always wanted to use that word...). An interesting "computer game" analogy that essentially describes the concept of "privilege" in today's world.
So that’s “Straight White Male” for you in The Real World (and also, in the real world): The lowest difficulty setting there is. All things being equal, and even when they are not, if the computer — or life — assigns you the “Straight White Male” difficulty setting, then brother, you’ve caught a break.
Here is an interesting response on what you can do with that privilege.
On the same note, an interesting article (pdf) on three different levels of racism...
A reminder to always be kinder than necessary, a lovely story...
"We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments, but great moments often catch us unaware - beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one."
Something a little more technical: A great documentary about how Turbo F1 engines started...
Even with the steps taken forward in Myanmar, there are still concerning religious clashes
Lastly, I am fascinated by the concept of the Prisoner's Dilemma: do you understand the psychology behind it?
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Some of my recent doings
The Friday Five: Some design thoughts with the Queensland Design Council...
Brought to you by the Queensland Design Council, the Friday Five Q&A project invites design and industry leaders to give insight into what inspires them, and to hear their ideas and goals for good design in Queensland and around the world.
A media release about the luncheon with the Australian High Commission in Malaysia
